Teas to relax by

I was finally able to enjoy a hot cup of tea and listen to Pandora yesterday and it was really great. Finding time to relax has been extremely challenging lately. The time out was just what I needed. Tea has traditionally been used for many different reasons. Chamomile is what I use to relax with, oolong is said to help you lose weight and green tea is supposed to be packed with antioxidants. 

The uses of tea and the properties of different varieties fascinates me. Who would think that a few dry leaves could do so much for you? There are tons of different types in the grocery store but internet options are rapidly expanding what is available.

It's important to check with your doctor before drinking some teas on a regular basis. Like anything else, some varieties may interact with medications or have adverse benefits. Several types of tea may actually have health benefits. It's always worth a check with the doc to get the right information.

Here are a couple of teas that I enjoy and how I use them. What are your favorites?

Chamomile
I always drink this when it's warm. The light flavor gets lost when consumed as iced tea. It's great for relaxation. You can either drink it as a beverage or warm the bags and place them on your eyes. Boil water and let the bags steep for one minute. When they are very cool to the touch, lay back in your favorite chair and place one on each eye. It's a nice stress break (although one that I don't get to use often enough.)

Oolong
This is a staple in Chinese restaurants but you can also get it from OolongSlimmingTea.com online. I have not ordered from them and am sharing the link as a potential resource. It can be hard to find in the grocery store but, if the oolong tea diet catches on, then it may be more widely available.

Fruit teas
Some restaurants are adding syrups to flavor teas and the flavors seem to be popular. However; there are lots of fruit flavored teas that don't need a boost to be flavorful. I enjoy relaxing with berry tea, orange and spice and lemon are among my favorites.

Making tea is a snap. Place a teabag in your favorite mug. Put a small pot of water on to boil. Pour water over the teabag when the water comes to a boil. (Be very careful not to spill the boiling water.) Let the teabag sit for five minutes and remove with tongs.

I add a teaspoon full of local honey as a sweetener. It's light flavor goes with almost any tea and is perfect for relaxing. Come to think of it, I think that I'll head into the kitchen and brew some now.

Mother's Day sermon based on John 19:26-27

Mother's Day is the one day of the year that we recognize and give thanks for the mothers among us who make our lives what they are. Today we celebrate the mothers who have loved us, nurtured us and cared for us, whether they are our biological mothers, adopted or acted as surrogate mothers in the place of our own. As we celebrate the mothers that we are or will be.

Me and my girls

This passage of John 19:26-27 speaks about mothers on very different levels. The first and most obvious is that in this passage, Jesus is taking care of the physical, earthly needs of his own mother. He is also giving John a mother to love and care for. From this point on, he is to be Mary's son and she is to be John's mother. It is task that John accepts for the rest of Mary's life.

This speaks to me because it speaks of a mother – child relationship on several levels. Some of us grew up with mothers that we love and would want to see cared for as Jesus did with Mary. Those with nurturing, loving mothers have much to be grateful for. They are are gifts to be treasured.

These are women who carried us home from the hospital and loved us despite our 3:00 a.m. hunger pangs, homework and were there for us through the heartbreak of our first young relationship. We are grateful for moms who taught us life skills and who loved us enough to discipline us. These are mothers to be cherished.

However; not all of us are so fortunate. Some of us grew up with mothers who were absent either in presence or emotionally. During this time period it was expected that a son would care for and provide for his mother in her old age. It is interesting that we don't hear anything about John's mother mentioned in the Gospels.

We do not know if she died an early age or if she had a relationship with John at all. What we do know is that she is not mentioned as the other women who were there. This may indicate a mother who was either emotionally or physically distant from her child or one who passed away. It is a passage that gives encouragement to those who had unhealthy relationship. John's life is an example that through God you can be blessed and a blessing to others.

The relationship between John and Mary is also an adoptive relationship. Jesus called upon John to take care of Mary, to adopt her into his home. He accepted and Mary did as well. We know this because John took her into his home for the rest of her life.

The love between adopted children and parents is often as strong (and sometimes stronger) than that of biological families. This too, is a gift to be celebrated.

This passage also speaks of women who do not have their own children. By living in John's home, Mary was agreeing to nurture any children that he may have. This is no small thing.

How many times have we been influenced by women chose to nurture and care for us in the place of their own children? I know many who have taught school, led Sunday School classes and worked in advocacy centers because they care about the lives of children. Surrogate mothers like these are to be celebrated.

This passage from John also speaks to women who have suffered a loss. Indeed, this was the case for Mary after Jesus perished on the cross. Nothing can replace the loss of a child. However; we know that through Jesus we have the hope of seeing our child again in the heavenly beyond.

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